Who is God? Commander-in-Chief of Angels

9:30 AM, June 27, 1992. I had no clue within a few hours, I’d experience the biggest scare of my life. The morning began with muted anticipation mixed with a tablespoon of trepidation. Fifteen going on fifty-two, normal things that excited teenagers of my day filled me with angst. Loud Christian rock concerts? Meh. Parties of any kind. I’m busy. Fun and games? Where can I hide? Amusement Parks? Eh. I suppose. If I don’t have anything better to do. I guess, but no rides.

Mostly, I loved my church youth group, that is, when we had serious discussions on the Bible and NOT during those dastardly “get to know you” icebreaker games. Despite anti-social tendencies, I loathed boredom. Unfortunately, my awkwardness made “bored” a childhood staple. No, the Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City did not fill me with visions of frivolity and glee. Still, at the end of the day, my ticket promised a star-studded Christian concert (including my favorite band), and, well, OK. Whatever. Hopefully it won’t be too loud in the back-row seats. 

Riding on Regret

It could have been during the 3-hour bus ride to Kansas City or the moment I stepped past the entry gate, but at some point, I experienced deep regret. I had failed to plan and found myself buddy-less. Not that my “planning ahead” would have made any difference. I did have “friends” in youth group, but most had no desire to hang out with a brood amidst Fun City. Everyone scattered off from the entrance in gangs with smiles on their faces. I stood alone wondering what in the world I was going to do for 5 hours until the concert, the only reason I decided to go. Oh no. SO…do I just wander around this awful place by myself?

I mentally ran through the faces of everyone I remembered seeing on the church bus—Sandy! I darted off like a fighter jet in hot pursuit of a target. Sandy personified kindness to everyone, including me, her junior by 3 years. Although she had her crew, I knew she wouldn’t refuse to let me follow them. I spotted Sandy and her friends and made a beeline toward them. Sandy smiled and gave her blessing, approving my tag-along status. Relief, though, was temporary.

I failed to calculate Sandy and her gregarious buddies would hit every major rollercoaster within the confines of Worlds of Fun. Blast! I trotted after them like a lost puppy. To my utmost displeasure, they scurried in line for every ride from kiddy level to riders-with-steel-stomachs. I sighed in relief as we lined up (alongside 6-year-olds) to squeeze into a cartoon-themed 10-mile-per-hour choo-choo train. But then they sprinted to towering, terrifying coasters. Looking at them gave me heartburn. I shuffled off to the side. Now what? Stuck, I had no choice but to wait for Sandy as she stood in line (for a LONG time) to ride a 22-second rollercoaster.

Hold On!

Exhausted, hungry, and cursing myself for signing my name up for the trip, I watched Sandy and her pack trot to another line. I eyed the steel contraption. No 30-story drops. No dizzying spins. I studied the two or three loops and told my weary self they didn’t look too scary, unlike some of the other monsters. Opposed to another stint of waiting, I hesitantly joined the line. When we arrived at the rail carts, I was the odd girl out and placed in a tin box with a stranger.

Nervous, I paid no attention to the unbuckled seatbelt at my side. A young man sat next to me, tall and blond-haired. Odd guy out and forced to sit next to a dorky girl (I felt sorry for him), he appeared at least 3 years older than me. Although he showed no signs of worry, he too ignored the lone, un-clipped belt intended to stretch across both of us. A piddly and thin metal bar lowered and clicked (sort of) into place at least seven or eight inches above our legs. It wobbled as I grasped it. An overworked and underpaid teenager darted down the row of carts for a “safety check.”  He passed us by without saying a word.

The scraping of metal and slow movement of the chain lift sealed my fate. Any opportunity to chicken out evaporated. The little tin cart rattled and shook as it arched upward, my fingers cemented around the flimsy metal bar. We crested the first hill and shot down with sickening speed. At that moment, I looked down and saw the seatbelt clasp flopping in the wind. Gravity pushed the coaster carts faster to rocket through an approaching loop. I knew letting go of the bar to try to buckle the belt had zero chance of success. Panicked and terrified, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around the metal bar. With each loop and wide turn, my backside lifted off the seat. At one point, I peeked to the side to check on my endangered passenger. To my complete shock, he had not reached for the seatbelt, nor even touched the metal bar. He hooped and hollered with delight, both hands raised like he was having the time of his life. I couldn’t fathom how in the world he didn’t fall out.

Divine Encounter?

After silently calling out to Jesus for 83 seconds straight, the cart screeched to a halt at the end of the ride. As I disembarked, I said in a shaky voice to my fearless seatmate, “I thought I was going to die.” Barely able to stand from fright, I stumbled ahead to the exit. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I turned to look behind me to see the same blond-haired young man. He oddly asked, “Well, you do know where you are headed if you die, right?” I nodded in the affirmative, too rattled to speak, and turned forward again towards the exit. After one or two seconds, I spun around to have another look at this odd fellow. He was gone. I scanned the crowd and saw no one that even remotely looked like him. I couldn’t understand how he darted off within the compact mass of people. Divine intervention did cross my mind, yet only God knows. It’s possible I overacted and was never in any serious danger. The guy next to me may have simply shot off out of sight after he questioned my salvation. Still grateful to be alive, I wondered if I had encountered an angel.

What’s in a Name?

I’ll admit, it wasn’t until much later in my life it dawned on me the Bible versions we read in English today are translations from its original language—Hebrew (Old Testament with a few verses in Aramaic) and Koine Greek (New Testament). Armed with the Names of God translation, I began my study at the beginning, Genesis 1:1. Working through each Old Testament book, I logged many specific names of God, such as El Elyon (God most high), El Olam (Everlasting God), and Yahweh Ropheka (The Lord is my healer). Amazingly, one particular name appeared by far more than others: Yahweh Tsebaoth (pronounced seh-BAY-oth) with a whopping 268 mentions in the Old Testament (because this is a Hebrew word, not Greek). Match this with El Elyon—34, El Olam—2, and Ropheka—1.

Tsebaoth in Hebrew means “of armies” or “of hosts.” Combined with Yahweh, we now have God/Lord of hosts or armies, but, what kind of militia? Heavenly? Earthly? The first part of 1 Samuel 4:4 (NOG) reads, “The troops sent some men who brought back the ark of the promise of Yahweh Tsebaoth—who is enthroned over the angels.” Although many English translations state Lord of Hosts or Lord Almighty, the “enthroned over the angels” from 1 Samuel 4:4 tells me we are looking at a spiritual force. In fact, Bible translations CEB, EXB, ICB, ISV, NET, NLT, and VOICE translate Yahweh Tsebaoth as heavenly armies. My favorite translation is from The Message, which reads, God-of-the-Angel-Armies. (WHY is Yahweh Tsebaoth so prevalent in the OT? My best guess is to convey power, strength, and authority. God-the-Butterfly-Creator, although true, doesn’t carry quite the same heft.)

Holy Beings Abounding

A brief look into all the various types of angels in the Bible yields overwhelming details: Messenger. Archangel. Hosts. Watchers. Cherubim. Heavenly Beings. Seraphim. However, harmless and chubby infants with cute little wings appear nowhere. The first mention of these celestials (other than the fallen angel, the devil) is in Genesis 3:24. We see not an irenic being but an intimidating bouncer!

So He drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life. (NASB)

The NASB (according to scholars, the most accurate English translation of the Bible) uses the word “angel” 287 times! This excludes other references to angels, for example, where the words messenger, archangel, seraphim, hosts, cherubim, and other names are used.

Here are a few examples (verse or summary) of angels and their roles on earth when they interact with humans (not a complete list):  

Protection/Rescue

Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 34:7 (NASB) The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. 

Hebrews 1:14 (AMP) Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]

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2 Kings 6:15-17, Elisha and his servant protected by “mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.”

Daniel 3:24-28, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saved from the fiery furnace.

Daniel 6:19-23, Daniel in the lion’s den

Acts 5:17-21, Peter and apostles let out of prison by an angel.

Acts 12:6-11, Peter escapes prison by angelic assistance.

Provision

Matthew 4:11 (AMP) Then the devil left Him [Jesus]; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him].

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1 Kings 19:4-7, An angel provided food and water for an exhausted and depressed Elijah after his epic showdown with the prophets of Baal.

Messenger

Daniel 9:21-22 (NASB) …while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with understanding.

Luke 1:30-31 (NASB) And the angel [Gabriel] said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

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Genesis 16:10-12, Hagar receives encouragement from an angel concerning her son Ishmael.

Daniel 10:12-14, An angel appears to Daniel after he fasted and prayed fervently concerning the future. The angel explains “what will happen to your people…”

Matthew 1:20, Joseph is given the instructions to take Mary as his wife despite her pregnancy.

Matthew 2:13, An angel tells Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus for their safety.

Matthew 28:5-7, Mary Magdaline and the other Mary encounter an angel at Jesus’ tomb. He announces the resurrection and instructs them to tell the disciples Jesus is alive!

Luke 1:11-13, Zechariah is told he and his wife Elizabeth will have a son (John the Baptist).

Revelation 1:1, Apostle John receives insight on “the things which must soon take place” from an angel.

Warriors

Exodus 33:2 (NASB) And I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

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Joshua 5:13-15, The “captain of the army of the Lord” appeared to Joshua to give battle strategies concerning Jericho.

Revelation 12:7-8, War in heaven between Michael, his angels and the dragon

Guide

Exodus 23:20 (NASB) Behold, I am going to send an angel before you [Moses and the Israelites] to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

Acts 8:26 (NASB) But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Get ready and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)

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Genesis 24:40, Abraham tells his servant the Lord will send an angel to help find a wife for his son Isaac.

Acts 10:1-33, An angel was sent to Cornelius to steer him to Peter so he could hear the Gospel.

Acts 27:23-26, Paul, on a doomed ship, receives counsel from an angel concerning the impending shipwreck and his journey to Rome.

Judgment

Matthew 13:41 (NASB) The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,

2 Kings 19:35 (GNT) That night an angel of the Lord went to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 soldiers. At dawn the next day there they lay, all dead!

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Genesis 19:1-29, The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

2 Samuel 24: 15-17, The Lord sent a plague and a destroying angel carried out the command.

Acts 12:23, An arrogant King Herod was killed by an angel because he did not give God glory when his people looked to him as a god.

Revelation 7-22, Judgement carried out on earth prophesied by Apostle John

From these references, we see angels are extremely powerful, whether they help or destroy. Let’s look further into two astounding examples.

Destroy: One Serious Celestial Soldier

It’s easy to overlook. The author of 2 Kings 19 doesn’t make a big deal about it—yep, one winged agent shows up and takes out 185,000 of Israel’s enemies. Period. No fanfare. No hoopla. For reference, that’s equivalent to the population of Fort Lauderdale, FL, or Chattanooga, TN! The three accounts (2 Chronicles 32, 2 Kings 19, and Isaiah 37) do not specify the type of being sent to the Assyrian camp, using names like Archangel or Seraphim; therefore, we must assume this celestial soldier is, as the author writes, simply “an angel.” We also don’t know how the angel single-handedly wiped out an entire army in one night.

Undoubtedly, this is serious assistance, and we must acknowledge to receive that type of divine help, a serious effort must take place. From reading all accounts in 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, and Isaiah, here is what King Hezekiah and the people did before God miraculously delivered them:

King Hezekiah trusted in the Lord. In the first month of Hezekiah’s reign, he opened the Temple, repaired it, and restored it to proper service.

The king, with the help of his people, tore down and removed pagan idols and altars from the land.

The people generously provided for the Levites (priests) so they could devote themselves to God’s Law.

As the threat from Assyria became imminent, Hezekiah encouraged the people to trust God fearlessly.

King Hezekiah tore his clothes and cried out to God in the Temple as Assyria’s army surrounded Jerusalem.

Hezekiah, after praying in the Temple, called for God’s true prophet, Isaiah. Isaiah spoke reassuring words from God, and Hezekiah had faith the Lord would do what He said.

King Hezekiah instructed his people not to respond to the verbal taunts of the Assyrian messengers. They obeyed.

Help: Not Too Hot to Handle

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (605-562 BC) saw himself as god and demanded worship. As the famous account records in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow before his golden statue, thus sealing their fates of death by fire, or so it seemed, until God dispatched an angel for a jaw-dropping rescue. Now, it must be noted different interpretations exist on specifically who appeared in the fiery furnace. Some insist a pre-incarnate Jesus manifested. The lone explanation given is from the mouth of Nebuchadnezzar, who says in Daniel 3:28, God “sent His angel and rescued His servants.” Nothing else in scripture contradicts the king’s declaration, so I’m going off the one reference available—God sent His angel.

This celestial servant not only preserved the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he defied the laws of nature! Phenomenal times ten describes this over-the-top-God-is-sovereign report (all in Daniel 3):

King Nebuchadnezzar, full of rage, ordered the fiery furnace heated to seven times hotter than normal.

The men tasked with throwing the three tied up, fully clothed men into the furnace died from the intense heat at the furnace’s opening.

“In the middle of the fire,” the king saw four men walking around, untied and unharmed, one of them noticeably different (described as a “son of the gods”)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the furnace alive with skin, hair, and clothes untouched.

The last test—curious officials of the king gathered around the men and conducted a smell test. They found no whiff of fire or smoke!  

Head of the Army, Heart of Mercy

Despite the faith and obedience of king Hezekiah and his people, it’s intimidating to know one angel is capable of unbelievable destruction or can defy natural law. Considering this, what should be our stance on angels? Awe? Relief? Fear?   

In 1958, Ray Overholt wrote a popular hymn titled Ten Thousand Angels. I remember Mom belting out the tune with her fellow robed choir members in the late 80s for (as the First Baptist bulletin announced) “special music.” The lyrics come from Matthew 26:53 (NIV), where Jesus said, Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (1) 

Judas, in an act of betrayal, led a crowd of armed men to the Garden of Gethsemane. Mehem commenced as sword-wielding Peter sliced off the ear of a “slave of the high priest” in an attempt to stop Jesus’s arrest. The Lord miraculously re-attached the man’s ear and ended the chaos. Jesus informed the mob and his disciples that violence wasn’t necessary. He intended to obey God, and if he wanted to escape, he didn’t need Peter or anyone else to pick a fight – he only needed to say a word, and “twelve legions” of celestial soldiers would appear in an instant.

I’m sure Mr. Overholt didn’t intend to err in counting sets of angel wings. Nonetheless, according to scholars, a “legion” in the Roman Empire equaled 6,000 men. Do the math: 12 times 6,000, and Jesus assured everyone within the sound of his voice, Mr-take-out-185,000-without-breaking-a-sweat plus 71,999 of his associates would come swooping in if Christ so desired. What if Jesus had called for the armies of heaven? The detail Ray Overholdt, I believe, did nail is the jarring, catastrophic result noted in the chorus. To paraphrase, if Jesus had called for "ten thousand angels," they would have destroyed the world as they set Him free.

Even though the devil, described as “a fallen angel,” acted in defiance of God, scripture is clear: the angelic armies are beholden to the command of heaven’s throne. Jesus could have saved himself, yet he chose not to. Angels serve King Jesus, who, because of love, submitted to a brutal, torturous death on a cross to save us all.

[Jesus said] I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:9-13 (NLT)

Praise God, our Lord is Yahweh Tsebaoth and our merciful, loving Savior!

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(1) The arrest of Jesus is also documented in Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18; however, Matthew is the only author to record Jesus’s words about his option to call for angelic assistance.